New clear cellulose film makes recycling easier

The VTT Technology Research Center in Finland is experimenting with a new transparent cellulose film that is indistinguishable from the conventional oil-based plastics currently used
.
The development is significant: Plastic films are difficult to recycle and are often discarded in the wrong places after use
.

In packaging, these plastic films are often combined with cardboard in various ways
.
This type of packaging often ends up being disposed of as mixed waste, as consumers find it difficult to know where it should go
.
If it ends up in a cardboard recycling bin, the plastic can be removed, but it's usually incinerated afterwards
.
The new regenerated cellulose film product can replace plastic, simplifying these options for consumers, as it can be placed in cardboard recycling and the rest of the packaging
.

"The cellulose film resists moisture, but in nature, it completely disappears like a piece of paper
.
The product is bio-based and biodegradable,
" said VTT Research Professor Ali Harlin
.

Scientists at VTT have been studying cellulose films for over a decade and have been working on the use of regenerated or recrystallized cellulose for the past six years
.

The production of this packaging material is still in the experimental stage and can be widely used in industry within 5-7 years
.

For Finland, packaging materials are becoming increasingly important as an alternative to paper, which has long been one of the main pillars of Finnish forestry
.
Over the past decade, Finland has strategically pushed for more circular and bioeconomy development, and has attempted to shift its focus to more value-added innovations amid a shrinking paper market
.
Flexible, transparent cellulose films are one such product
.
The world market for plastic films last year was about $110 billion
.

Last year in Finland, sales of cardboard surpassed paper for the first time
.